Suplex Front Suspension Conversion Experience by Member Philip Loring

Suplex Front Suspension Conversion Experience 

by Member Philip Loring

My Suplex Experience -  By Philip Loring Having read a great deal about Suplex Suspension I decided to investigate some of the benefits and after considerable research,decided in October 2013 that a DIY approach was probably not sensible, and to take the plunge having the Suplex fitted to my R100 by a reputable dealer. The job was completed in a day and full of expectation I duly collected the car looking forward to my 30 or so mile drive home.   Imagine then how disappointed I was to find, that the expected ride and handling improvements failed to materialise and moreover the handling of the car in my view had severely deteriorated.   The front bobbed up and down over the smallest of bumps and fast cornering required considerable steering correction.  Unhappy with the performance I returned to the dealer for adjustment and whilst this did produce an improvement , it was far from the glowing reports I had read  about. A third return visit to the dealer resulted in a test drive of the vehicle where I was told that it was fine and that the steering attributes I have complained of were quite normal for a Morgan. Clearly not happy with this I contacted Suplex who were most helpful and suggested that I check a couple of the spring settings.   Without going into too much technical detail, I found that the settings advised by Peter were woefully adrift and so I made the relevant adjustments myself.   Although further improvements were achieved I was still not seeing the amazing results that others had posted on various websites. Somewhat despondent, having shelled out a great deal of money and finding myself with a car that had worse handling characteristics than when I started, I put the car into my garage and started to ask a few questions.  It was then following a suggestion from David  Harris backed up by a couple of my Cranmog friends, that I contacted Williams Morgan who were reputed to be “Suplex Specialists”.   As the car was due for its annual service and MOT I phoned Williams to explain my situation and they readily agreed to look at, and solve my problems. It was a bit of a hack down to Chipping Sodbury but a nice sunny day after all the recent bad weather and so a good drive.   It took a little while to find them but I found a really great team who appreciated my predicament.   They assured me that Suplex was great and that they would solve my problems but also suggested that an even better result could be obtained by fitting Avo shocks and Panhard rods to the rear, to which I agreed.   After a nights stay at a local inn and some great food, we spent the day exploring the area and the city of Bath using a loan car provided by Williams.  On arriving at the garage later that day the mechanic insisted that we went on a test drive to ensure that I was happy with the work.   A quick drive over the local roads including a cattle grid soon demonstrated the benefits of a well set up Suplex suspension.   We then embarked on our 150 mile return journey home in the pouring rain. It was immediately apparent that either I had been given a different car or Williams assurances were correct, as the handling was transformed.   A rock solid drive back home, smoothed bumps, and  a steering wheel that could be held lightly between finger and thumb of one hand at 70 mph +++ on the M4 was a true revelation.   I purposefully floored the accelerator on the sweeping bend joining the M4 & M25 and was amazed how well and confidently the car behaved.  Moreover the improved ride got the thumbs up from my wife so that was a big bonus. I am now a Suplex convert but clearly not impressed that such a good system can be destroyed by substandard fitting.   This is not a cheap upgrade and clearly needs to be fitted by experts.   To that end I can recommend this upgrade but only if its supplied and fitted by Williams Morgan. Regards Philip Note:  The Suplex Front Suspension kit was originally fitted in September 2013 and  when stripped down, the king pins were found to be worn with about 1000 miles or so left in them so I decided to have them replaced.   This brought the original fitting of The Suspension Kit and The King Pins Labour Costs to a staggering £1300 plus VAT. Ouch! Philips Suplex Kit Fitted complete with Bilstein Dampers.  The feeder pipe to the Remote Greasing System is also visible  ..............................................